City Council adopts measures on emergency rental assistance, parks and river restoration grants, transportation projects, and multiple tax assessments

ROLL CALL

COMMUNICATIONS & RECEIVE/FILE

Amending LAHA Project Budgets: $500,000 of additional funding for the 2026 Emergency Rental Assistance program.

CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. If discussion on an item is desired, the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda for separate consideration.

Authorizing the Department of Emergency Management to pay for all costs for Emergency Management training and/or costs associated with the operation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during emergencies and declared disasters in 2026.

Authorizing the Police Department to purchase refreshments for Employee Recognition ceremonies and events in 2026.

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for $25,000, with no funding match required from the City, from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) for the Revitalization of Outdoor Community Celebrations Project.

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to apply for grant funds, of up to $175,000, from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Trails grant programs, to support winter grooming and snowmaking improvements at City owned parks.

Authorizing the City to enter into a cooperative agreement with Ramsey County for their project on Dale Street from Grand Avenue to Iglehart Avenue.

Authorizing the Police Department to expense costs associated with assessors for the Commander and Sergeant exams.

Authorizing the Police Department's expenditures relating to the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Unit’s community engagement meetings and multi-agency Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) meetings and events in 2026.

Requesting a variance from Minnesota Department of Transportation Municipal State Aid Rules to implement 10-foot wide travel lanes during the reconstruction of Arlington Avenue from W Wheelock Parkway to Payne Avenue.

Supporting the designation of the West 7th Street corridor as the future METRO J Line.

Approving Ordinance Permits 20210010309 - 20210010314 for Roadway Traffic - Signage and Pavement Markings Infrastructure installed by Project Paul, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ryan Companies US, Inc.) (“Ryan”) on the Ford (Highland Bridge) Site, for roadway signage and pavement markings in various locations on Highland Bridge (District 15, Ward 3).

Authorizing the City to apply for up to $3,000,000 from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for the Mississippi River Learning Center Peninsula Restoration project.

Restoring Ford's Area C.

FOR DISCUSSION

Recognizing Portia Hampton Flowers’ career with the City of Saint Paul and thanking her for her service.

Approving the Mayor's appointments of Policy Aides - Assistant to the Mayor I, Constituent Services Associates - Assistant to the Mayor I, and Director of Public Engagement and Constituent Services - Assistant to the Mayor VI.

Directing the Department of Safety and Inspections to proceed with adverse action and the imposition of a $1,000 matrix penalty against Wizards Auto Repair LLC d/b/a Wizards Auto Repair (License ID #20240000998) for the premises located at 985 Randolph Avenue. (Licensee will speak to Council on their own behalf)

Establishing the Festivals and Events Security Credit. (Laid over from February 4, 2026)

ORDINANCES An ordinance is a city law enacted by the City Council. It is read at three separate council meetings and becomes effective after passage by the Council and 30 days after publication in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Public hearings on ordinances are generally held at the second reading.

PUBLIC HEARINGS Live testimony is limited to two minutes for each person. See below for optional ways to testify.

Amending Chapters 65 and 66 of the Legislative Code pertaining to drive-through sales and services and walk-up service windows.

Adopting the geothermal energy franchise by The Heights Community Energy, Inc.

Granting authority to the Port Authority to issue and sell bonds in the principal amount of approximately $6,000,000, and any bonds to refund such bonds, to secure such bonds with a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of the City (the “City”) and to use the proceeds derived from the sale of such bonds to pay the cost and expense necessarily to be incurred by said Port Authority for a portion of the cost of the redevelopment of part of the St. Joseph’s hospital site.

Amending section 310.01 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code to create new fee categories and associated license fees for Transportation Network Companies.

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Black History month and uplifting the significant contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Divine 9 and Links Incorporated to the City of Saint Paul.

Amending the 2026 PED Operations Budget to Include HRA Housing Trust Fund Funding for Emergency Rental Assistance Staffing, Citywide.

Authorizing the write off of Police staffing costs for qualifying free public cultural festivals and community events.

Amending the financing and spending plans in the Department of Public Works Capital and Capital Maintenance Contingency Budgets to transfer $90,000 for the Dale Street Roof Replacement.

Authorizing the Department of Parks and Recreation to amend the financing and spending plan, in the amount of $10,000, and to enter into a grant agreement with the Minnesota Historical Society to accept Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage grant funds.

Authorizing an increase in the Parks and Recreation 2026 Grant Fund Budget in the amount of $510,000 to reflect grant funding awarded from the State of Minnesota DNR for a recurring operational grant at the Como Zoo and Conservatory for State Fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Approving the application of Meefy Beat Inc DBA Shamrocks Irish Nook for a sound level variance in order to present amplified sound for a Saint Patrick’s Day Weekend event on Saturday, March 14, 2026, and Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 995 West 7th Street - Shamrocks Irish Nook.

Approving the petition of the Marianne McEvoy, to vacate the easterly half of the north-south alley right-of-way abutting 2105 Scudder Street.

Approving the petition of the Ruth Dill-Macky, to vacate the westerly half of the north-south alley right-of-way abutting the south 98 feet of 2115 Scudder Street.

Public hearing on grievances about federal immigration operations.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING CONSENT AGENDA Items listed under the Consent Agenda will receive a combined public hearing and be enacted by one motion with no separate discussion. Items may be removed from the Consent Agenda for a separate public hearing and discussion if desired.

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 839 EDMUND AVENUE. (File No. VB2602A, Assessment No. 268905)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 2017 FOURTH STREET EAST. (File No. VB2513A, Assessment No. 258837)

Appeal of Robert Jennrich to a Correction Notice, which includes condemnation, at 873 FRONT AVENUE.

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 692 HAMLINE AVENUE NORTH AKA 1339 VAN BUREN AVENUE. (File No. VB2512B, Assessment No. 258835) (Amend and public hearing continued to March 4, 2026)

Appeal of Florence Cherry Kimmel to a Fire Inspection Report, which includes condemnation, at 787 HOWELL STREET NORTH: Final Determination.

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 843 SELBY AVENUE. (File No. VB2513B, Assessment No. 258838)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 1615 STANFORD AVENUE. (File No. J2512B1, Assessment No. 258117)

Ratifying the Appealed Special Tax Assessment for property at 554 STRYKER AVENUE. (File No. VB2512C, Assessment No. 258836)

ADJOURNMENT

City Council meetings are open for in person attendance, but the public may also comment on public hearing items in writing. Any comments and materials submitted by 12:00 pm of the day before the meeting will be attached to the public record and available for review by the City Council. Comments may be submitted as follows: Written public comment on public hearing items can be submitted to Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Live testimony will be taken in person in the Council Chambers. Council Meeting Information The City Council is paperless which saves the environment and reduces expenses. The agendas and Council files are all available on the Web (see below). Council members use mobile devices to review the files during the meeting. Using a mobile device greatly reduces costs since most agendas, including the documents attached to files, are over 1000 pages when printed. Web Meetings are available on the Council's website. Email notification and web feeds (RSS) of newly released minutes, agendas, and meetings are available by subscription. Visit www.stpaul.gov/council for meeting videos and updated copies of the agendas, minutes, and supporting documents. Cable Meetings are live on St Paul Channel 18 and replayed at various times. Check your local listings.

LEGISLATIVE HEARING DISCUSSION ITEM

Approval of the Consent Agenda

Approval of the Consent Agenda